HCC Vet Tech & Vet Assistant Programs

05/31/2026

HCC's Vet & Animal Science Class of 2026 absolutely brought it this year! 🎓✨

We only managed to catch a few photos in the graduation rush, but the creativity, humor, and pride on display were next level. This year's graduating students put so much heart into everything they did, even when it came to their graduation attire.

We're so incredibly proud of this group and everything they’ve accomplished. Congratulations, graduates! You are officially "free!" 🐾❤️

05/21/2026

Cheers to Holyoke Community College's Vet Assistant Program!

This AVA Week, NAVTA is proud to spotlight the Holyoke Community College Veterinary Assistant Certificate Program in Holyoke, Massachusetts! 🎉

NAVTA Approved since 2021, this hybrid certificate program, led by Erin Jackson, M.Ed., CVT, has helped numerous students take their first step into veterinary medicine, with many graduates now working as veterinary assistants in the local area or continuing into Holyoke’s Veterinary Technician program.

Students gain hands-on experience in labs, kennel shifts, surgery observation, assistant-level surgical skills, and animal care, all while learning in a facility that recently became AAHA-accredited in Fall 2025.

As Erin Jackson shared, the program has become “an entry point into a veterinary career,” and its yearly waitlist shows just how valuable that pathway is.

Join us in celebrating Holyoke Community College and the veterinary assistants who help make the veterinary health care team complete!
https://navta.net/ava-week/ava-week-2026-program-feature-holyoke-community-college-veterinary-assistant-certificate/

03/09/2026

We are so grateful to Legacy Equine Center & Sanctuary, one of our wonderful community partners. They play a crucial role in helping to educate our students to be advocates for all animals, small and large!

02/12/2026

It is such an honor to partner with Kane's Krusade! It's such a great organization doing so many great things...

We're giving BIG Paws Up to Dr. York, her students and staff at the Holyoke Community College Vet Tech program. Yesterday was our second day participating in their free exams. Four Kane's dogs were seen, receiving vaccinations, bloodwork, heartworm preventative and flea/tick treatment. A total of 11 Kane's dogs were seen this year.

This program is invaluable to Kane's as it saves us Vet Fund resources that we can apply to other pet families. We also want to thank Family Krew member William D. and Board member Jill L. for transporting three pet families so they could receive these vital services.

11/17/2025

We have some cats who need loving homes ASAP! They are SO SWEET. Beau is a handsome 6yr old neutered male playful kitty and Precious is a sweet older spayed female kitty.
Come visit them if you need to be convinced! If interested contact: [email protected].

10/28/2025

The Vet & Animal Science Department once again took home a prize at HCC's Trunk or Treat this year with its haunted vet clinic!

10/22/2025

HCC Vet Tech students had the exciting opportunity to learn about exotic pet handling, behavior, and health from some very special guests. Thanks so much to Dr. Brian Roy and Kalee Buteau for once again showing our students the ropes and helping to make them better advocates for these special animals!

10/16/2025

Just sharing the good news!

HOLYOKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE COMMUNITY VETERINARY CLINIC BECOMES FIRST VET TECH PROGRAM TEACHING HOSPITAL IN NEW ENGLAND TO EARN AAHA ACCREDITATION

The Holyoke Community College (HCC) Veterinary Technician program has been accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) for more than 30 years, and the HCC Veterinary Assistant program has been approved by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) since its inception. These are the leading organizations that set educational standards for veterinary technician and assistant programs nationwide.

Now, the HCC Community Veterinary Clinic has reached a new milestone—becoming the first veterinary technology teaching hospital in New England to earn accreditation from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).

AAHA is the only organization that accredits non-emergency veterinary hospitals and clinics in the U.S. and Canada based on a comprehensive list of standards that cover everything from pain management and patient care to staff training and hospital management.

Unlike in human healthcare, accreditation for veterinary practices is voluntary. Fewer than 5,000 veterinary practices across North America have chosen to pursue and maintain this rigorous certification. Accredited hospitals must demonstrate ongoing learning and improvement between re-evaluations, which occur every three years.

So why did our veterinary team pursue AAHA accreditation? Simply put: we believe our patients and students deserve the best. Achieving AAHA accreditation means meeting or exceeding nearly 50 mandatory standards—plus dozens of additional criteria—developed by experts and regularly updated to reflect advances in veterinary medicine.

This achievement affirms that HCC’s Community Veterinary Clinic delivers care that meets the highest professional benchmarks. It reflects our commitment to excellence in patient care, student education, and continuous improvement—raising the bar for veterinary medicine across the region.

10/15/2025

The Vet & Animal Science Department at HCC would love to wish all the Vet Techs out there a happy Vet Tech Week! We are so grateful for all of you!

10/06/2025

🐾 To All of Those Working in Area Practices... Want to help train the next generation of veterinary professionals?

HCC’s Vet Tech and Vet Assistant students complete externship hours working alongside veterinarians, techs, and assistants in local practices. Hosting an extern is a great way to mentor future colleagues and get to know potential new team members.

If your practice might be interested, reach out to:
📧 Erin Jackson – [email protected]

📧 Christine O’Neill – [email protected]

We’d love to partner with you to support our students and strengthen the local vet community! 💙

— Dr. Jennifer (Kip) York, HCC Veterinary Programs